Composer

:

Richard Rodgers

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

1936

Average_duration

:

7:49

Slaughter on 10th Avenue is a ballet composed by Richard Rodgers in 1936. The ballet was choreographed by George Balanchine and premiered on April 8, 1936, at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. The ballet is a part of the musical comedy On Your Toes, which was written by Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The plot of the ballet revolves around a love triangle between a hoofer, a gangster, and a dance hall girl. The hoofer falls in love with the dance hall girl, who is the girlfriend of the gangster. The gangster hires a hitman to kill the hoofer, but the hitman falls in love with the dance hall girl and decides to spare the hoofer's life. The ballet ends with a dramatic shootout between the gangster and the hitman. The ballet is divided into three movements. The first movement is a jazz-infused overture that sets the tone for the ballet. The second movement is a pas de deux between the hoofer and the dance hall girl, which showcases their love for each other. The third movement is a high-energy dance number that features the gangster, the hitman, and the dance hall girls. One of the characteristics of Slaughter on 10th Avenue is its use of jazz music. Rodgers was known for his ability to blend different musical styles, and Slaughter on 10th Avenue is a prime example of this. The ballet features a mix of jazz, classical, and popular music, which creates a unique and exciting sound. Another characteristic of the ballet is its use of humor. The ballet is a musical comedy, and Rodgers and Hart infused the show with witty dialogue and comedic moments. Balanchine's choreography also includes humorous elements, such as the gangster's comically exaggerated movements. Slaughter on 10th Avenue was a critical and commercial success when it premiered in 1936. The ballet has since become a staple of the American ballet repertoire and is often performed by ballet companies around the world. Its unique blend of music, dance, and humor continues to captivate audiences to this day.

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